Wesmen Athletics
Adrian Bruce Named Head Coach Of Wrestling Program
The University of Winnipeg Wesmen Announced Today That Adrian Bruce Has Been Named The First Head Coach Of The Newly Formed UW Wrestling Program..
The University of Winnipeg Wesmen is pleased to announce that Adrian Bruce has been named the first head coach of the newly formed University of Winnipeg wrestling program. The program will participate in the Canada West conference of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league beginning with the 2011-2012 season this fall.“It is a great day for the sport of wrestling in both Manitoba & Canada, the much anticipated participation of the U of W into the CIS in the sport contributes to the overall health of the sport in all aspects. To be selected to fill such a significant role within the sport and the University of Winnipeg, is both a privilege and an honour.” Stepping into the role of head coach at a school such as the U of W there are big shoes to fill, by association there is an expectation to succeed but at the same time there is the wisdom that it will happen in time.” The success of the existing Wesmen Athletic programs is a direct result of the support received from the University as a community, my philosophy is “If you surround yourself with good people you can’t help but be successful”, by being a part of the Wesmen family I am doing just that” said Bruce.
Bruce joins the Wesmen with over 30 years experience in the sport as a competitor, coach and builder. He is the current President of the Manitoba Amateur Wrestling Association and a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association. Bruce is the current Provincial Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Teams and will coach Team Manitoba at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games being held in Kamloops, British Columbia in August. Bruce is the chairperson of the 2012 Canadian Olympic Wrestling Trials Committee. The trials will take place at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre this December. An accomplished coach with many awards including Coaching Manitoba’s “Coach of the Month” (November, 2010) and the 2011 recipient of the Dr. Jack Hunt Memorial Award (April 2011), recognizing the developmental Coach of the Year in Manitoba. Bruce was also a finalist for the 2011 Sport Manitoba Male Coach of the Year.
Bruce entered the coaching ranks after a highly successful competitive career where he was a former Canadian National Champion and a five time Saskatchewan Provincial Champion. The native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan currently resides in Niverville, Manitoba with his wife and two children.
The University plans to not only provide opportunities for student-athletes at the varsity level but also plans to operate a full wrestling club. Together the club and the varsity program will provide a chance for students, staff, public and inner-city youth to participate in regular classes, clinics, Jr. Wesmen programs and competitions.
“The student-athletes in our wrestling program will provide us with even more role models and ambassadors that will represent our University, enhance our athletic programs and give back to the community at large and, in particular, the inner-city community, where wrestling has become a popular sport,” said Athletic Director Doran Reid. “In looking for a leader to guide these new student-athletes, it very quickly became apparent to me that Adrian Bruce has all of the attributes I was looking for. He has the passion, the knowledge and the experience to go along with the fact he is very well connected to the Wrestling community in North America.”
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Sheldon Appelle
Sports Information Coordinator
University of Winnipeg
